After talking to people taking part in the ride – which was traveling north on Highway 59 – the CHP determined that one of the lead riders in the group had braked for slowing traffic, Lewis said.

That rider lost control of his motorcycle, which fell down, Lewis said. Another motorcycle with two riders was unable to stop in time and collided with the first motorcycle.

A man and a woman riding on the second motorcycle were injured and transported to Mercy Medical Center in Merced, Lewis said. The male rider of the first motorcycle was transported to a Modesto hospital but died.

Los Banos City Councilmember Deborah Lewis said the riders had split into groups and her group was ahead of the one involved in the crash. Several motorcyclists from her group pulled back to the scene of the crash when they received the call, while others continued on the ride.

They were not aware at the time that one of the riders had died, she said.

The ride was a fundraiser for Los Banos officers Kristifer Hew and Aaron Pinon and their families caring for them.